THIS TRIP IS FULL. Bundle up for a 2 to 2½ hour LATE AFTERNOON search for wintering sparrows and raptors, including possible Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls. Mostly open terrain with some ponds, which we will check if they are not frozen over. Reservations required at least a week ahead of the trip for names to be submitted to the county. Limit: 16. We will gather at 3:30 p.m. on the landfill entrance drive at 6001 Rt. 108, Laytonsville, Md. For reservations and more information, contact the LEADER: Mark England at 240-308-4114 or [email protected].

Join us for a morning of winter marsh and woodland birding. Targets are sparrows, winter songbirds and possibly ducks. We will start at the parking lot. Dress for the weather; bring water and a snack if you like. We will not be too far from the parking lot if anyone needs to leave early. Beginners and young birders are encouraged to join. Limit: 12. For reservations (required), time, and other information, contact the LEADER: Nathan Tea at [email protected].

Speaker: Don Messersmith. This Audubon Naturalist Society trip led by Mark Garland visited many of the best birding areas in this nearby country. As a result we saw all but two of the 21 endemic species plus some wintering U. S. warblers and other birds (151total) in just two weeks. In addition to birds we experienced some of the culture, historic sites, good food and music.

Don Messersmith, the last known Charter Member of the MBC, is a retired University of Maryland Professor of Entomology and Ornithology. As a pioneer in leading bird tours, he has traveled to every continent as a bird tour organizer and leader with his own company, World Nature Tours, and other organizations such as Crowder Nature Tours, ANS, American Birding Association, International Expeditions and others. He has taught Ornithology courses for over 50 years.

THIS TRIP IS FULL. Joint trip with ANS. 3:00-5:30 pm. Bundle up for a 2 1/2 hour LATE AFTERNOON search for wintering sparrows and raptors, including possible Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls. Mostly open terrain with some ponds, which we will check if they are not frozen over. Required carpooling to several stops inside will necessitate cracked windows for ventilation and masks to be worn while in cars. Reservations required at least a week ahead of the trip for names and phone numbers to be submitted to the county. Limit: 8 MBC members only for this trip. (Similar second trip on February 19.) Strong preference will be given to new birders and those that have never been to the Oaks Landfill. Meet at 3:00 p.m. on landfill entrance drive at 6001 Rt. 108, Laytonsville, Md. For reservations and more information, contact the LEADER: Mark England at 240-308-4114 (cell) or [email protected].

THIS TRIP IS FULL. Morning walk through the varied habitats of this excellent 250-acre park, including two ponds, fields, and deciduous and coniferous woods. We’ll be looking for overwintering songbirds, waterfowl, and raptors. Start at 8 a.m. in the parking lot at 8711 Snouffer School Road, Gaithersburg, Md. Limit 12. For reservations (required), contact the LEADER: Mark England at [email protected] or 240-308-4114.

THIS TRIP IS FULL. This little body of water has established a deserved reputation over the years for a nice variety of wintering waterfowl and rather close views of the birds. If the lake is frozen over at the time of the trip, we will switch to a nearby larger body of water. Walking will be along a level, paved path. We will start at 8 a.m. along the north side of Wisteria Drive, where there is ample parking. Maps giving directions will be sent to participants. Limit: 10. For reservations (required), more information, and directions, contact the LEADER: Mike Bowen at 202-236-0510 or [email protected]. Anne Cianni will co-lead.